Ford's C-MAX Energi is a plug-in hybrid that doesn't skimp on power -- TECH TIME AUTO REVIEW

As cars go more and more green, all of the automakers are battling to be the most fuel-efficient; After all, who wants to pay for gas more often than you have to?

One company that has made large strides in this area in recent years is Ford, which has garnered a lot of attention for their 2013 offerings -- including the new Ford Fusion, and the brand new C-MAX -- which comes in both regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

I recently had the chance to test a 2013 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, and I'll fill you in on the vehicle and what it offers -- both in terms of mpg and eco-friendly features, as well as the overall performance and look of the vehicle.

LOOKS, DESIGN

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There are a variety of colors offered on the C-MAX, but my test vehicle featured a very sharp "Ruby Red" metallic look.

The interior was black leather, which is standard on the Energi plug-in (which only has one trim level, SEL). If you go with the standard hybrid version of the C-MAX, you can choose a lower trim level (SE) that features cloth seats.

My test vehicle featured 17-inch aluminum wheels, which are standard on the Energi plug-in, but can be downsized on the standard hybrid.

Trying to figure out what class this new vehicle fits into is kind of tricky. It's definitely on the smaller side (it's built on the same platform as the Ford Focus), but the compartment still feels somewhat roomy due to a decent amount of headroom and passenger space. It's technically referred to as a hybrid utility vehicle, but to me it felt like somewhere between a larger small vehicle and a smaller mid-size vehicle. One major space loss is in the trunk area, which is taken up mostly by the battery, leaving very little space for storing anything in the trunk.

Translation: It's not really meant to work as a family vehicle, which I found out during my time in the car during family excursions. It just seemed cramped in those situations.

I would say based on my time in the car that this vehicle would work best as a commuter vehicle to take to and from work, and to run errands around town, but don't plan on taking the family around in it.

CHARGING

The C-MAX Energi features both a 7.6-kilowatt lithium-ion battery and a conventional 2-liter engine, and like other hybrids it can switch back and forth between the two if that's how you have your settings.

Regenerative braking is at work here, harnessing energy from your braking to help keep the battery powered. The vehicle even tells you how well you are braking and lets you know how to improve in this area.

The difference here is that it's also a plug-in hybrid. The charge port is on the front left side of the vehicle, and included with the vehicle is a charging cord, which can be used to plug into any outlet capable of handling 110 volts.

A full charge at the 110 volt level will take about seven hours, so you'd want to charge it overnight before heading out to work the next day, for example. If you're in the mood for faster charging, special equipment must be installed.

You can install a 240-volt "level 2" charger, which costs about $1,500 including installation. With this equipment, you can fully charge the C-MAX Energi in 2.5 hours, so the recharge time is much shorter. Any public charging stations you would find will use Level 2 chargers (there's not many in Michigan yet, though, as these type of vehicles are still a small percentage of the vehicles on the road).

The MyFordMobile app, which will be launched soon, can help you look up charging station locations. It also lets you connect to your vehicle and check charge status, how much juice is left, etc.

HOW FAR CAN YOU GO?

There are three modes on the C-MAX Energi.

AUTO mode is where the vehicle automatically starts; this is your conventional hybrid mode, where the car will decide for itself whether to run in gas or electric mode.

EV Now Mode is all electric, no gas used whatsoever. You can drive for up to 21 miles in this range. What this means is that if your commute is less than 20 miles, you can get to work without using any gas. And if you have a charging station at work, you can do the same on the ride home. Once the battery depletes, you automatically will revert to AUTO mode. You can drive as fast as 85 mph in EV mode.

EV Later mode comes in play when, for example, you're going to drive through a hilly area or are starting a long trip; and you want to save battery power for later. You will run on gas engine only; depleting basically none of the battery power.

These numbers, in plain English, mean that as long as you are not taking long drives for the most part, and are able to charge your C-MAX Energi regularly, you'll probably be a distant stranger to the gas station.

The area where I ran into a bit of a disappointment was in terms of overall gas mileage when in AUTO mode.

The vehicle lists at 43 mpg combined city/highway, but in my testing of the vehicle I barely got above 30 mpg. True, I was driving mostly in the city, so I didn't expect to achieve the 43 mpg mark, but I expected better -- as I've tested other hybrids that can average consistently over 40 mpg.

BATTERY LIFE

The good news is that the days are gone when drivers of hybrids/plug-ins had to worry about the cost of replacing an expensive battery. The C-MAX Energi has moved on to the next generation of batteries -- lithium ion; and the previous batteries were nickel metal hydride and it was 8 to 10 years or 150K miles before they had issues. Lithium ion batteries should last at least that long, so the battery should last the lifetime of the vehicle.

OTHER TECH FEATURES

Going beyond the hybrid/plug-in aspects of the C-MAX Energi, you get a bevy of tech offerings inside the vehicle.

All C-MAX Energi vehicles come with MyFordTouch, the system that improves safety by allowing you to control the vehicle's music, climate, navigation and make phone calls all by voice. On the regular hybrid, it's not standard, but you can option up to it.

Navigation is offered on all C-MAX models, but is not standard and must be added. I would highly recommend it.

Steering wheel controls let you use push buttons to command the cruise control, volume, change stations, and delve through the mass of info screens that are offering information about the vehicle (MPG, tire pressures, and much more).

There is also a voice button on the vehicle that you push when you want to make a voice command.

An "Eco guide" offers real-time information on how fuel-efficient you are driving, and shows whether you are using the gas engine and when you are using the battery.

I like this feature, as it serves as a sort of teacher to help you get better fuel economy.

An ECO cruise control feature makes it so that you're getting the best fuel economy possible while you are in cruise.

You also get dual zone climate control, which is nice if driver and passenger have different tastes.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

A lot of folks steer clear of hybrids because their is often a lack of power.

This is one area where Ford has a leg up on some of its competitors -- as the C-MAX Energi with a fully charged battery is capable of 195 horsepower. If the battery is not fully charged, it's 188 hp

This provides for a ride that doesn't necessarily feel like it's coming from a hybrid/plug-in vehicle. You don't struggle to go from 0; and in fact it's better than many hybrid competitors in its ability to get going from a stop.

For the most part, if the gauges weren't showing you that this machine is a hybrid, you wouldn't feel it while driving the C-MAX Energi.

SAFETY FEATURES

The C-MAX Energi offers some nice safety features too, such as blind spot mirrors. A little yellow light will come on when someone is driving in your blind spot. You can see the mirror and tell you shouldn't turn.

A reverse sensing system also will beep if something is in the way or you're getting too close to vehicle behind you.

There are also seven airbags in the vehicle.

Other options you can choose on the Energi are: hands-free liftgate, active park assist (vehicle can parallel park without using your hands; but you have to hit gas and brakes still), and navigation.

HOW'S IT DOING?

The regular C-MAX hybrid began hitting dealerships in late September 2012, and the C-MAX Energi since late November 2012, and it's continuing to roll out in its initial phase. Depending on customer demand, the vehicle will be able to flex its supply, as it is built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in the city of Wayne.

Amanda Zusman, of the Ford communication team, said that while the C-MAX is an all-new nameplate, Ford is "enthused about it success so far."

She added that Ford has four new hybrids/electric vehicles on the market right now:

The Focus Electric, which launched in 2012; The C-MAX hybrid and C-MAX Energi that came last fall; and the Fusion hybrid that also debuted in the fall (with the Fusion Energi 2013 coming soon down the pipeline).

PRICE

The price on the C-MAX Energi is $32,950, but that doesn't include the federal tax credit you get with the vehicle, which will bring its base price down just below $30K. The version I tested had all the goodies on it (premium audio and navigation; hands-free technology package, power liftgate, rear view camera, keyless entry/start/tailgate, parking technology (active park-assist and a panoramic sunroof. All of this boosted the price up by about $4,000. The metallic paint like I had will also cost an additional $395, if you go that route. After it all, my test vehicle came to $34K or so including the tax credit. You can get for the minimum and save a few grand, though, if that's your preference.

If you don't want to plug in and just want the regular hybrid version of the C-MAX, it starts at just under $26K for the base model.

As a side note, not coincidentally the $32K price for the Energi is right on par with what Toyota is charging for their Prius plug-in model, the closest direct competitor to the C-MAX Energi. It's clear who they are trying to beat here in this segment.

WHY C-MAX?

There are a lot of hybrids and plug-ins out there, so what distinguishes a C-MAX model?

Zusman said it's a case of a more complete package than competitors.

"The thing is you benefit from great fuel economy; you get great performance and handling. On top of all that, it's just a comfy ride. You don't expect that from this type of vehicle. It's done really well and we're hoping that will continue."

BOTTOM LINE

I like the fact that Ford is trying to push the boundaries as far as their fuel economy and hybrid/plug-in program. They've come a long way in a short time, and the future looks bright.

The C-MAX I drove was an enjoyable vehicle to drive, though I was disappointed in the overall fuel mileage I got. Still, my overall impression of the vehicle was positive. I think that if you're someone who has access to charging stations, or are willing to put one in your house, and have a short commute to work, this type of plug-in vehicle is a great alternative to consider. You can avoid having to buy gas so often that the savings it provides will be immense.

But I also have to say that due to the lack of charging locations around the state of Michigan, and probably much of the U.S., vehicles like the C-MAX Energi won't become the dominant vehicle anytime soon. They may continue to gain market share, little by little. But change in this area won't come rapidly until there is an infrastructure to support it.

Vehicles like the C-MAX are also a nice option for people who want to go the hybrid or EV route, but don't want to choose a vehicle from a foreign auto manufacturer. While the fuel economy numbers might not be as strong as a Prius or some other hybrid/plug-in models, the C-MAX does offer a great ride and more power than some of these competitors (plus cool features like the active park assist), and it's a matter of deciding what is most important to you -- just the fuel economy, or that plus the overall package/driving experience.

If you're seriously in the market for an eco-friendly vehicle like the Energi, I would recommend giving one a test run along with some of the competition both domestic and foreign; you might just find yourself in the Blue Oval camp when all is said and done.